In this conversation, I speak with theologian, missionary and author Howard A. Snyder about the radical vision of John Wesley and what it might mean for the Church today.
We explore Wesley as more than the respectable founder of a denomination. His movement brought people into small, disciplined communities where they could grow in holiness, care for one another and participate actively in God’s mission.
Howard explains why genuine Christian community requires more than attending a weekly service, how the early Methodist societies and class meetings helped ordinary people become disciples, and why the Church must recover its identity as a visible community of the Kingdom of God.
We also discuss creation care and Howard’s conviction that salvation is not simply about rescuing human souls from the earth. In Christ, God is reconciling and healing the whole creation - people, communities and the land itself.
Howard A. Snyder is a former Professor of the History and Theology of Mission at Asbury Theological Seminary and Professor of Wesley Studies at Tyndale Seminary. His many books include The Radical Wesley, The Community of the King, The Problem of Wineskins, Salvation Means Creation Healed and, most recently, Consider the Lilies: How Jesus Saves People and the Land.
RESOURCES
Read Consider the Lilies free through Asbury Theological Seminary:
https://place.asburyseminary.edu/academicbooks/53/
The Radical Wesley: The Patterns and Practices of a Movement Maker:
https://my.seedbed.com/product/the-radical-wesley-by-howard-snyder/
Salvation Means Creation Healed:
https://wipfandstock.com/9781608998883/salvation-means-creation-healed/
Howard Snyder’s articles at Seedbed:
https://seedbed.com/author/howardsnyder/
Howard’s profile and selected publications at the Manchester Wesley Research Centre:
https://www.mwrc.ac.uk/howard-snyder
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